How big is Scotland? Today, we are going to find out a whole lot more about this amazing country. Also, look at my post Free Scotland Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning.
Scotland is a beautiful country located in the northern part of the United Kingdom.
And Scotland is actually quite large compared to what most people think.
Scotland covers about 30,000 square miles, which is roughly the same size as the U.S. state of South Carolina.
And Scotland is smaller than England, which is its neighbor to the south.
Too, it takes about 8 hours to drive from the top to the bottom so it’s not really too big or too small of a country.
BOOKS ABOUT SCOTLAND FOR KIDS
Next, look at these books about Scotland.
I prefer to use living books when we can find them.
6 Books About Scotland
Add books about Scotland to your homeschool unit study. I have books for multiple ages.
I wish you would write Scotland's Story for littler children like me, ' asked a young friend of H.E. Marshall, causing the celebrated author to give Scotland the same treatment as previously dedicated to the England in Our Island Story.
Starting with the legend of Prince Gathelus and ending with King George the IV this book features many tales, including those of Macbeth, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and the Stewart kings.
George MacDonald was a Scottish author who never forgot his roots. All his best writing recalls his beloved homeland, and demonstrates, through myth or realism, the beauties of the place that reared him. In this collection, four of these Caledonian tales (two fairy tales and two "realistic" ones) open the door to MacDonald's Scotland, and show him, like Burns, Scott, and Stevenson, to be one of his country's true national treasures.
This 1911 work by one of the most well-known newspapermen and writers of the time is a lyrical and engrossing account of the peoples and places of the Sceptered Isle's northern reaches, from its Celtic and Pictish tribal origins through Roman occupation and the Jacobite uprising of the 18th century. Author Andrew Lang delves into the decadence and corruption of medieval kings, bringing to life the intrigues and conspiracies that have shaped the true history of a much-fabled nation with a sly, dry wit that will enthrall today's readers.This book includes an author biography as well as a table of contents that is linked to each chapter (Kindle edition). We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high-quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
John and Antonia live in London. They are clean. They are tidy. They have firm ideas on how to behave. Then they are sent to spend the holidays with their cousins at Roid House in the Scottish Highlands. Angus and Morag do not keep clean. They are not tidy, and they run wild. After initial horror on both sides, the cousins start to like each other, and they spend their time riding and sailing, and solving the odd mystery on the side.Joanna Cannan was an astute observer of children, and the reactions of the children to each other and the world about them are brilliantly observed.
Slithering stoorworms, mischievious brownies, fierce kelpies and magical selkies -- these are the creatures of Scottish folklore.
Award-winning children's author Theresa Breslin has collected the best-loved tales from all over Scotland. Retelling each in its own individual style, she presents funny tales, moving tales and enchanting fairy tales. Soar with the goshawk, dive with selkies and battle with the stoorworm, as each story is brought to life with exquisite illustrations by Scottish fine artist Kate Leiper, which brim with otherworldly beauty.
A wonderful gift, this is a truly stunning book to be treasured for a lifetime and will be enjoyed by parents and grandparents as well as children.
In this beautifully illustrated and fully updated edition, Charles Phillips charts the complete history of the royal families of Britain. Beginning in the earliest times with the legend of King Arthur, Eric Bloodaxe and the real-life history of Macbeth, he describes the lives and legends of the kings and queens of Britain, their consorts and children, and the pretenders, usurpers and regents who played a role in the making of the United Kingdom. Fact boxes highlight the essential events of each reign, as well as maps, charts and family trees. Over 500 fine art paintings, sculptures, engravings, artefacts, photographs, maps and illustrations reveal the heritage and pageantry of royal Britain. A valuable reference book for any historian, this guide will fascinate every reader interested in one of the longest-running monarchies in the world.
Also, here are more fun facts about the geography and history of Scotland.
- Language- English is the main language, but many Scots also celebrate their historic languages- Scottish Gaelic and Scots.
- National Symbol- The thistle, a prickly purple flower, is Scotland’s national emblem.
- National Animal- Believe it or not, it’s the unicorn. The unicorn was chosen as a symbol of purity, strength, and pride.
- Famous Landmarks- Edinburgh Castle, the Isle of Skye, the Highlands, and Stirling Castle are among the most visited places.
- Inventions – Scots have contributed greatly to science and technology, including the invention of the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), penicillin (Alexander Fleming), and even television (John Logie Baird).
- Culture- Scotland is known for its traditional Highland Games. Also for bagpipe music, ceilidh dancing, and, of course, its famous patterned fabric, tartan.
Also, we learned about tartan.
Tartan is one of Scotland’s most recognizable symbols. It’s a patterned cloth made of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors.
THE HISTORY OF TARTAN
Today, tartan is often associated with kilts, scarves, and blankets, but its history goes back thousands of years. The earliest known tartan in Scotland was around 3,000 years ago. It was found preserved in peat bogs.
By the 1600s and 1700s, tartan had become more than just clothing; it was a symbol of clan identity.
Each Scottish clan (family group) developed its own distinctive tartan pattern. Wearing your clan’s tartan showed loyalty and pride in your heritage.
After the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the British government banned tartan and other Highland clothing as a way to control the clans.
For nearly 40 years, it was illegal to wear tartan in Scotland! When the law was finally lifted, tartan came back stronger than ever. It is an important symbol of Scottish pride and unity.
Tartan is worn all over the world, not just by Scots. People of Scottish ancestry often find their family tartan and use it in weddings, home décor, or crafts like our paper-folding tartan kilt.
There are over 7,000 official tartan patterns registered today. There are ones for families, regions, military units, and even modern creations like the Scottish Parliament tartan or the Balmoral tartan worn by the royal family.
MORE SCOTTISH CRAFTS TO MAKE
Finally, look at this fun tartan kilt craft.
HOW TO MAKE A KILT CRAFT
If you want to make this craft simpler, you can pick up tartan prints of cardstock at your local craft store or on Amazon. I thought it would be really fun to design our own tartan pattern.
Classic tartan is made up of a combination of blues, greens, reds, yellows, blacks, and whites. It has a palette of 3 to 5 of these colors. But this is YOUR tartan pattern, have fun with it.
You will need:
- Cardstock
- Colored pencils, markers
- A ruler
- Brown cardstock
- Scissors
First, you can start with any size you like. We began from a 12×12 piece of cardboard but found a shorter height looked better, so we cut it down to 8”.
Choose a base color cardstock, or you can even start with white and color that in.
Once you have your base, begin drawing lines of varying thickness using a ruler and a colored pencil or marker in one direction. For white lines go over heavy with a white colored pencil or paint marker so that it shows well
Add a 2nd, 3rd, and so on color in lines.
Flip the paper and begin making your pattern in the other direction.
When your pattern is done, take a brown piece of cardstock and draw a belt and a large oval to create a Sporran, this is what was used to hold personal belongings since kilts don’t have pockets.
Cut out the belt and sporran, draw lines for fur/fringe on the bottom half of the oval, fold it over and glue in place.
Add a button to the folded portion.
Find the center of your page and mark it, begin making ¼” accordion pleats from the outside in.
Repeat on both sides until you have left about ⅓ unfolded in the center.
Gather the pleats at the top and tape or staple to the center flat piece.
Finally, glue the belt and sporran into place.
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